AAAE CERTIFIED MEMBER EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
Where does TSA have regulatory influences and authority within the terminal? -
ANSWER: 1. Checkpoint operations
2. Airport police response to checkpoints and incidents
3. Unattended bags
4. Unattended vehicles
What did the Air Commerce Act (1926) prohibit? - ANSWER: Using federal funds to
build or improve airports.
Works Progress Administration (WPA) - ANSWER: Provided 50% of needed funding.
Built over 800 new airports.
Air Commerce Act of 1926 created what? - ANSWER: Aeronautics Branch (soon
known as the Civil Aeronautics Admin) under the Dept. of Commerce.
Charged with fostering air commerce, establishing air traffic control, licensing for
pilots, aircraft certification, establishing airways, and issue and enforce air traffic
rules
What was the effective beginning of privatized space flight? - ANSWER: Final flight of
the U.S. space shuttle.
What does a GA Reliever airport do? - ANSWER: Relieves a Commercial airport from
GA traffic.
What is the enplanement threshold for commercial service? - ANSWER: 2,500
Large hubs have what percentage of U.S. enplanements? - ANSWER: 70% or more of
the enplanements
What are the cloud ceiling and visibility requirements for Visual Flight Rules? -
ANSWER: Cloud ceiling: 1,000'
Visibility requirements: 3 miles
"1000 and 3"
What is the entity who is responsible for airport governance? - ANSWER: The Airport
Sponsor.
What is the most common airport ownership type in the U.S.? - ANSWER:
Municipalities (cities and counties)
Who sets standards for security access control systems? - ANSWER: The Radio
Technical Commission on Aeronautics
,How many days are required for the Notice of Proposed Rule-Making? - ANSWER: 30
days
What is the directive to FAA personnel on specific subjects and programs? -
ANSWER: The FAA Order
What is the method the FAA has found to be the best to extend federal policy to
local government units? - ANSWER: Grant Assurances
What is 14 CFR Part 13 Investigation and Enforcement - ANSWER: The informal
complaint system that is filed with the Airport District Office. FAA will investigate
and offer to help resolve. If the sponsor is in violation, the FAA provides the
opportunity to comply.
A Notice of Noncompliance may be issued if the FAA believes the airport is non-
compliant. The letter will identify the apparent violation(s), specifies corrective
action(s), and gives a deadline.
What is 14 CFR Part 16 Rules of Practice for Federally-Assisted Airport Enforcement
Proceedings - ANSWER: The formal complaint system that is filed in Washington
DC. It involves financial compliance and reasonable and nondiscriminatory access,
but includes all obligations in the Grant Assurances and property deeds.
Formal agency finding regarding the compliance status of an airport.
Prior to a Part 16 complaint, a person must have initiated and engaged in good
faith efforts to resolve informally (Part 13 will work).
Deadline driven, including pleadings, investigations, and lawyers
If airport is non-compliant, FAA may withhold new grants, withhold payment on
existing grants, terminate eligibility for future grants and passenger facility
charges; cease and desist orders; civil penalties; or judicial enforcement.
What does the Tucker Act do? - ANSWER: Waives immunity over claims arising out
of contracts with the federal government.
What agency has the power to make safety related regulations after an aircraft
accident? - ANSWER: The FAA
Who produces standards and recommended practices for aviation worldwide? -
ANSWER: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
What professional industry trade organization represents GA pilots of small aircraft?
- ANSWER: Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
What does Grant Assurance #21 (Compatible Land Use) ensure? - ANSWER: The
sponsor must make a reasonable attempt at compatible land use outside airport
property boundaries. Incompatible land is generally residential, schools, hospitals
or public health entities, and concert halls.
What document must always be up to date to receive FAA funds? - ANSWER: ALP
,The ALP must delineate the airport boundaries, all facilities, and identify future
development plans. FAA approval represents concurrence in the conformity of
design standards and criteria.
According to the FAA, where do most conflicts occur in permitted activities (aero or
non-aero)? - ANSWER: Non-aeronautical
What are airport tenants and users required to adhere to? - ANSWER: Rules and
Regulations
What is the benefit of grant assurances to the airport user? - ANSWER: Ensures
adequate level of safe and effective service
What are examples of non-aeronautical revenue sources? - ANSWER: Concessions,
parking lot charges, rental cars, advertising space, industrial park
Is a payment to a municipality in excess of the cost acceptable? (eg for police or fire
service) - ANSWER: No. This is an example of a revenue diversion.
What is the most common aeronautical charge at a commercial service airport? -
ANSWER: Landing fees.
Based on per operation and per weight basis; relatively small portion of an airline
operating costs, yet highly contentious during negotiations.
What is the FAA's position on the airport fee and rental structure for aeronautical
services? - ANSWER: Rates and fees must be as self-sustaining as possible.
What is the FAA's position on the airport fee and rental structure of non-
aeronautical services? - ANSWER: Rates and fees should be Fair Market Value.
What type of agreement between the airlines and the airport puts the airlines at the
most risk? - ANSWER: Residual
What was the Air Mail Act of 1925, also known as the Kelly Act, and what did it do? -
ANSWER: Authorized the Postmaster General to contract for domestic airmail service
with commercial air carriers
Only those who use aviation would pay for it
Who began the first U.S. air freight service (between Detroit and Chicago)? -
ANSWER: Henry Ford
Who carried out most of the commercial related aviation activities before the Air
Mail Act? - ANSWER: The US Army carried mail for the post office
, What is a Fixed Based Operator? - ANSWER: FBOs were originally fuel and rest stops
for pilots. The buildings were then turned into terminals as aviation grew.
What is the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)? - ANSWER:
Established in 1928.
First airport management trade organization.
Consisted of 10 airport directors attending the National Air Races at mines Field (now
LAX).
Adopted first professional accreditation standards in 1954.
Provides lobbying, regulatory services, training, accreditation, and other professional
development programs.
What was the Aeronautics Branch was reorganized and restructured into? -
ANSWER: Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) under the Dept of Commerce
What did the Civil Aeronautics Admin (CAA) split into, and what were the duties of
each branch? - ANSWER: CAA maintained Air Traffic Control, Pilot and aircraft
certification, Safety enforcement, and
Airway development
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) ensured safety rules, conducting aircraft accident
investigations, economic regulation of the airlines, approving air routes, and
regulating airfares
What was the Development of Landing Areas for National Defence (DLAND)
appropriation? - ANSWER: Secretary of War and Commerce & Secretary of the Navy
could acquire land for airport development needed for the war effort.
986 airports built in the US.
Post war, 500 airports were declared surplus and handed over to public cities and
counties for civil use.
Airport sponsor had to promise to
make the airport available for public use without discrimination, and to allow the the
government to use in the event of a national emergency.
What did the Federal Air to Airports Program (FAAP) in 1946 do? - ANSWER:
Provided grant funds for certain projects, mostly RW and TW development.
Airport had be in the National airport Plan (NAP)
Airports held to previous promises to allow the public to use the airport without
discrimination.